The results

Main suspicion on a day

The some-more things appear to change, a some-more they actually stay a same: Teams from Europe were wilting underneath a prohibited Brazilian sun. The opening was closing. A new universe sequence was coming. When several of Europe’s heavyweights—Spain, Italy, England and Portugal—bowed out in a organisation theatre alongside a horde of their European cousins (Croatia, Bosnia and Russia), too many rushed to write a continent’s epitaph. Social media was flooded with posts about UEFA’s bad winning commission in Brazil compared to CONCACAF teams. The deduction was clear—Europe was a spent force, no longer a widespread energy in a universe game. It valid to be grossly premature.

The Netherlands’ shootout win over Costa Rica on Saturday ensured that UEFA has during slightest dual of a members in a semifinals, and that a final 4 would be comprised particularly of European and South American nations for a third true tournament. Only twice in World Cup story have nations outward of Europe and South America ever competent for a final four, not including a years when a World Cup didn’t have correct semifinals: South Korea in 2002 (on home soil) and a United States (in 1930). It’s a sour tablet to swallow for CONCACAF supporters pulling for 4.5 berths (sorry, a connection doesn’t merit an additional space), yet Europe and South America are still a dual biggest and many absolute footballing continents. That’s not going to change anytime soon.

That’s not to contend COCNACAF shouldn’t be unapproachable of how a members did in Brazil. It should be proud—very proud. Mexico and a United States survived formidable groups and both gave as good as a got opposite European opponents in unequivocally parsimonious Round-of-16 matches that they could have simply won. Mexico’s display, after such a uneasy subordinate campaign, was generally moving in this competition. Costa Rica has been one of THE stories of this World Cup, going dominant to win a organisation that enclosed Italy, England and Uruguay, and apropos usually a fourth CONCACAF republic to strech a quarterfinals (don’t forget Cuba in 1938). But CONCACAF nations still can’t mangle by a potion roof that they keep bonking their heads on during a World Cup. The confederation’s tip nations gave a unequivocally best teams from Europe and South America a shock on a world’s biggest stage, yet once again fell brief like they always do. Respect was earned. To unequivocally make a rest of a universe mount adult and take notice, though, CONCACAF is going to have to send during slightest one group by to a semifinals of a World Cup. Until then, a idea that CONCACAF is shutting a opening is only sad thinking.

2014 FIFA World Cup: Sportsnet.ca is your home for in-depth coverage of a FIFA World Cup in Brazil. TV viewers can watch all 64 games on CBC and Sportsnet from Jun 12 to Jul 13. Be certain to watch Connected each night on Sportsnet for all of a latest news and analysis. And check out Sportsnet magazine’s group profiles of all 32 nations.

Stat of a day

1 – This is a initial time in World Cup story that #ARG and #BRA have both reached a semi-finals in a same World Cup. Titans.

Goal of a day

In a eighth minute, Lionel Messi fended of several Belgian markers and defended possession before feeding Angel di Maria out wide. The Real Madrid star’s pass took a deflection yet landed during a feet of Gonzalo Higuain who lashed a ideal shot from a corner of a box only inside a distant post past a infirm Thibaut Courtois.

Save of a day

Minutes before halftime, Arjen Robben stepped over a passed round and Wesley Sneijder struck a curling, dipping giveaway flog over a wall. Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas review it all a approach and done a marvellous one-handed diving save to inhibit a round away.

Best impulse of a day

Gonzalo Higuain’s nearby skip in a second half stirred this comedic stage on Argentina’s touchline:

Question of a day

Tweet of a day

3 stars

1) Gonzalo Higuain: The Napoli brazen scored a leader with a poetic finish, and customarily worked himself in dangerous positions.2) Keylor Navas: Another illusory bid from a Costa Rican, who has been a tip goalkeeper in this tournament. Made some large saves to keep Los Ticos in this one.3) Tim Krul: The Dutch goalkeeper was subbed in late in additional time so he could be in net for a shootout where he done dual stops. Can’t ask some-more than that.